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Friday, February 7, 2014

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Fensterwald: CORE districts’ tackling of tough issues impresses federal official









Education Headlines

Friday, February 7, 2014
FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.

Fresno County schools employee sues for equal pay

A Fresno County education employee fighting for equal pay in the workplace is taking her case to court. In the civil suit filed in Fresno County Superior Court this week, Aileen Rizo, a 39-year-old math consultant at the Fresno County Office of Education, alleges she's unfairly paid thousands of dollars less than her male co-workers with the same job title.

Newport-Mesa board to consider armed guards at elementary schools

During a discussion on how to provide security at Andersen Elementary School, Newport-Mesa trustees decided to look into the possibility of armed security guards to protect all elementary schools in the district.

Irvine school district weighs issues of two sites for a fifth high school

Irvine Unified School District is pushing forward with plans to build its fifth high school on 40 acres northwest of the Orange County Great Park at a location that has come to be known as Site A.

Fullerton administrator: teacher protections hit poor hardest

Fullerton School District would need to spend an estimated $2.5 million to dismiss 10 “grossly ineffective” teachers employed by the district this year, according to testimony in a Los Angeles court case challenging California's tenure and dismissal laws.

$822 million needed to upgrade Capo schools

Ask San Clemente High School's drama students about their theater, and they're quick to share the time a rat fell from the rafters. They also say the leaky roof gushes “like a waterfall” when it rains.

Morgan Hill's superintendent choice riles Latinos and other parents

For the past year, Morgan Hill Unified School District has reeled from one controversy to another, from neighbors angry about a shuttered campus being reopened as a continuation school to bitter debates over opening two charter schools. Now the board has stirred up more contention by elevating its former human relations chief to superintendent without seeking other candidates -- a process some believe was rushed and secret and further cemented divisions in the community.

Elementary schools score as artificial turf replaces asphalt

Artificial turf fields have raised some criticism in the past from environmentalists who fear the rubber granules included in many fields - which are typically made from recycled tires - could be carcinogenic. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that recent studies conducted by its scientists, by California and by others did not find "an elevated health risk" in turf fields.

Redlands district sued over case of boy who fathered teacher's baby

A student who fathered a child with an ex-Redlands schoolteacher convicted of having sex with him and two other students has sued the school district, alleging educators were negligent and complicit in his sexual battery.

Fensterwald: CORE districts’ tackling of tough issues impresses federal official

A high-ranking federal education official – a woman with Secretary Arne Duncan’s ear – said she liked what she heard at the first meeting of the committee overseeing eight California districts that have received the nation’s only district waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Facebook page promotes campus repairs over iPads in L.A. schools

Critics of a $1-billion school computer project in Los Angeles have launched an increasingly popular Facebook page asserting that the money should be spent instead on campus repairs.

L.A. school officials barred from access to curriculum for iPads

Los Angeles school officials have failed for now in their efforts to get full access to a digital curriculum that the school system purchased in June.
Thursday, February 6, 2014

Novato schools parcel tax renewal headed for June ballot

Novato residents will vote in June whether to renew a parcel tax that has been funding the city's schools for 22 years.

Lodi Unified School District officials approve raises for teachers

Lodi Unified School District has agreed to give teachers raises and cancel furlough days.

Burglars vandalize, steal laptops and balls from Chapman School

Teachers and students arrived Monday at Chapman School to find it had been burglarized and vandalized while they were away.

Indio High School TB testing: Second round set as precaution

About 120 Indio High School students and some staff members had a second round of testing for tuberculosis Tuesday, according to the Riverside County Department of Public Health. Students were last examined in December after one of them tested positive for tuberculosis.

Desert Sands school district offers classified staff a raise

After several years of dwindling salaries, the Desert Sands Unified School District has offered a 5 percent raise and an $800 bonus to about 1,000 custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and other classified employees.

Alpine teachers reject tentative pact

In a vote taken Tuesday and Wednesday by secret ballot and announced Wednesday afternoon, members of the Alpine Teachers Association rejected a proposed contract settlement with the Alpine Union School District.

Abuse charges dropped against Miramonte teacher

Prosecutors dismiss the case after the girl who alleged the abuse declined to testify against Martin Springer. The Los Angeles Unified School District stands by its decision to fire Springer and pay $3 million in settlements.

PETA apologizes to Woodland Hills school after graphic materials distributed to children

Following a dust-up over graphic animal cruelty images distributed to elementary-school students in Woodland Hills last week, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has issued a public apology to the school’s principal, pledging to “mend fences.”